What are some cheap, but yummy, meals?

1. 81

   hrymelposted 12 years ago

   What are some cheap, but yummy, meals?
   
   I'm moving into an apartment for the first time in the next two weeks, and I'm gonna be poor. Very. But I can make it so long as I budget, so I'm looking for some nutritional cheap meals that I can cook (preferably ahead of time).
   
   

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2. 60

   davids2011posted 12 years ago

   ground beef
   potatoes
   pasta
   canned veggies
   regular bread for multiuse
   HB,Hot dog, sandwich

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3. 58

   WD Curry 111posted 12 years ago

   Just had it. Cuban Garbanzo soup cooked down thick over whole grain brown rice. My vegan friends weren't watching . . . I put some neck bones and nasty local creole sausage in there with all the saffron and adobo.

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4. 69

   thebookmomposted 12 years ago

   My top 3 cheap and easy meals for winter are spaghetti, brinner (breakfast for dinner), and chilli.  I keep their few ingredients on hand all the time as they are quick to make and family favorites to eat together.

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5. 61

   duffsmomposted 12 years ago

   I am a big Top Ramen fan, you can make soup with them, add chicken ( or browned ground turkey and a chopped carrot, celery too if you can afford some.  Make a huge pot with four packages of Top Ramen, one chicken breast chopped small and the veggies and it can last several days in the fridge.
   
   Ground turkey or chicken can be very affordable if you watch the sales.

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6. 60

   ivantsoftposted 12 years ago

   the hub picture is the answer. Veggies are cool and cheap!

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7. 90

   CZCZCZposted 12 years ago

   If you snagged any left over turkey then make some rice and combine all with a bowl of vegetable soup.  Its a cheap and very filling dinner.  Love to do it so much had to write a hub about it.  http://czczcz.hubpages.com/hub/Simple-T … ice-Dinner

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8. 74

   MosLadderposted 12 years ago

   Oooh, cheap and yummy, my favorite! Stew with carrots and potatoes and onions. Chicken adobo and white rice, or for that matter any saucy meat and white rice.
   
   How about a cheap vegetable pasta dish? Forget the olive oil and white wine. Use whole grain pasta. Make a sauce with butter, milk, garlic and your favorite seasonings. Add broccoli, zucchini squash, red/green/yellow peppers. Heck, you could even brown some potato chunks and throw it in there.
   
   Make the sauce like a roux, melting the butter into the milk (or cream,) then dissolving a tablespoon of flour in it. Add a can of chicken stock and the flavor will be epic.

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9. 71

   lburmasterposted 12 years ago

   Buy can foods. It's cheap and you loose weight. A can of corn for lunch, a can of black olives for a snack, a bullet for breakfast (a piece of bread with an egg in the center on the stove), and a single piece of meat or soup for dinner. Every day under $10.

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10. 67

    Sue Bondposted 12 years ago

    Soups!  I just made this the other night...
    
    Chop up 1/2 an onion, a garlic clove, 2 carrots and 2 celery stalks.  Put a bit of oil in the bottom of the soup pan, add the above and cook for about 5 minute.  (Stirring to prevent sticking.) 
    
    Then add 3 cups of turkey broth (use homemade veggie or chicken/turkey broth - it's easy to make!), 1/2 tbsp of madras curry powder (use more if desired), some chopped cauliflower and frozen peas.  I also added some chopped cooked chicken.  Then I just let it simmer for 20 minutes or so before adding 1/2 cup of coconut milk (optional).
    
    You can also substitute dry lentils or cooked beans instead of chicken. 
    
    (Use dry beans to save money vs using canned beans. To prepare the beans - soak dry beans overnight in water with a bit of baking soda and then boil them the next day.  Drain the water and use the beans.)
    
    To make chicken or veggie stock - just add chopped up carrots, celery, onion and chicken bones/carcass to a pot of water. I also add a stick of kombu (seaweed) for flavor.  You can let it simmer for an hour or as long as you like - just keep an eye on it.  Add parsley (and any other herbs you like) about 10 minutes before it's done.  Then strain the stock into a bowl. 
    
    You can find exact recipes/measurements by searching for a recipe online.

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11. 57

    Hubpage Galposted 12 years ago

    A cheap meal can consist of boil in bag rice that always cooks perfectly just follow the directions on the box using a pot of boiling water.  Purchase a jar of chicken gravy of store brand quality or what is now called a private label and season the rice to your taste specifications.

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12. 88

    kerlynbposted 12 years ago

    I recommend you load up on salads, plant foods, whole grains, nuts, and healthy kinds of bread.  I also recommend you drink water instead of juice or wine. They're all healthy, affordable and uber nutritious.

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